Getting Kids to Do Chores

Have you ever wanted to just throw your hands up in the air and scream because you just didn't/couldn't nag at the kids one more time to "do their chores?"

Well, I have found a fabulous product that will help you in this area others. It's called "Mom's Family Preserves Grin 'N' Bear It Chores for Kids." Inside this wonderful jar are about 120-plus cards. Choosing chores from Mom's jar becomes a treat when the children know they may get lucky and choose one of Mom's special fun and reward cards too!

Getting started is simple. Personalize your jar by selecting the cards that are appropriate for your child or children. Rubber band the ones that are left and put them aside. Then, personalize the blank cards that have been included.

Next, check the fun and reward cards to see what's in there. Keep the ones you want in in the jar, take out the ones you don't want. It's that simple!

The final step is having the children choose their cards. You have to come up with what's best for you though. Here are a few suggestions:

Have them choose one or more cards for the week, choose one card a day (you can have them add a card a day, or have them do the one chore they picked each day).

In our family, the kids have regular chores they are expected to do. These chores are written on a sheet that is taped to the back of their doors. When they get bored with the routine--usually their chores don't seem to be getting done--I break from the mundane (about every third or fourth week) and tell them to go pick new cards from the chore jar. I usually have them pick four cards. The odds are pretty good they'll get a reward or silly card (as I call them). As a matter of fact, quite often one or all three of them have picked more reward cards than chores. If one of them gets four chores and the other gets 1 or more reward cards with their chores, I ask the one who got the reward card/s to fan out his reward cards and let the other child pick one. Now the child who has 4 chore cards gets to fan his cards and have the other child pick one. They both usually are involved in the reward/silly cards.

There are other jars too! This is a great way to get conversation going between family, friends, relatives, or God.

NOTE: At this time, we have not been able to find Mom’s Family Preserves anywhere. BUT, you can certainly make your own jars. Just get creative! Sit with the children and go over the chores of the home. Write them down on a list. Cut out rectangles from card stock. Then write each one from the list on a different card. Put those cards in a decorative jar and voilà!

Copyright © 2003 Susie Glennan - The Busy Woman, Inc.

Bio: Susie Glennan is the President of The Busy Woman, Inc. - DBA: The Busy Woman's Daily Planner®. She has been featured in Smart Money Magazine, The Washington Post, and others. Her products have been featured in Real Simple and Parenting Magazines, CBS Early Show, San Antonio Living Show and many more!

Susie has been happily married since 1982. She is mom to 3, Homeschool Teacher, Toastmaster, Speaker and is Author of numerous articles that have been published in magazines, across the web and at www.thebusywoman.com